Suction cleaner



Aug. 26, 1952 5gb 2,608,268

SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 17, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 y 14 I 5 22 I 4 122 46 g 0 I HIIHII I Ullllll I ,8

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Aug. 26, 1952 D. c'. GERBER SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 17, 1948 IN V ENTOR. fizzle C Gerber ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 26, 1952 SUCTION CLEANER Dale 0. Gerber, North Canton,Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 17, 1948; seminb sasza- 18 Claims.1

The present invention. relates to suction cleaners and more particularlyto a novel arrangement of parts afiord'ing unusual simplicity,compactness. and operating efiiciency.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a suctioncleaner having a unique arrangement of parts. More specifically it is anobject to provide a cleaner having a novel filter constructioncharacterized by its simplicity, compactness, high efficiency andcleaning convenience. Another object is to combine a mechanical filterwith a finalfilter in a unique manner.

A further object is to provide a. construction in which the final filteralso serves to collect dirt separated by the mechanical filter. As aresult, the machine may be cleaned and restored to maximum efficiencysimply by emptying. the dirt from the final filter receptacle.

A further object is the provision of a compact suction. cleaner readilyseparable into two parts one of which houses a quickly detachable.filter and dirt receptacle and the other a unitary motor-fan-mechanicalfilter assembly.

Another object is the provision of a cleaner construction adapted toemploy an inexpensive, permeable, disposable paper bag as the finalfilter and-as a' dirt receiving receptacle for a separable primaryfilter whereby the machine may be cleaned by removing the paper bag andreplacing it by a fresh one.

Still other. objects will become apparent from the detailed descriptionof representative embodiments of the invention and the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention; and

Figure 2' is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment.

The cleaner comprises a casing in having a series of air dischargeopenings H. A channel shaped annulus I2 is secured to the upper, innerside of the casing and carries a resilient sealing gasket l3. Dome l4overlies the casing and is detachably secured thereto in airtightrelation by apair of over-center clamping devices l5. Dome l4 may be.provided with a cleaner transporting handle l6.

A combined multiple-stage motor-fan unit and a mechanical or impactfilter device generally indicated by numeral I! is partially housed bydome l4 and is supported therein by means of an annular partition I8.The outer periphery of partition [8 is secured to the dome by screws,rivets or other means. The inner edge 20 is shown as terminating betweenelectric motor 2| the adjacent portion of housing. 24-.

and the exhaust stage of the multiple-stage fan. The motor flange issecured to partition l8 by screws 22.

Motor shaft 23' projects axially downward throughfan casing 24 intocasing Ill. The upper end of casing 24 is secured to partition l8 byscrews as clearly indicated in the drawings. Housed within this casingand secured to motor shaft 23 is first stage 25 and second stage-"26 ofthe suction air fan. Interposed between stages 25 and26 is interstage 21one shroud 28- of which projects beyond the periphery and'is downturnedfor convenient support upon fan casing 24 as by screws 29. Theinterstage directs the air discharged by fan 25 radiallyinward to theinlet of stage 26 as'is customary in multiple-stage fan units. Stages 25and 26 are held in assembled relation on the motor shaft by means ofspool 30 and lock nut 3|.

Themechanical separator is shown as being of the impact type formed as afrusto-conical stamping-32. The smaller end 33 is unperforated; Thelarger; end flares outwardly to form the radial flange 34 from which aplurality of blades 35 may be stuck. Theseblades preferably extend ataslight angle to radial lines and function to prevent air from enteringbetween flange 34 and Thus the blades serve as a substitute for arunning air seal at this point;

The sidewallsof separator" 32 are slotted and alongitudinal edge of eachis. struckinwardly as indicated at 36. The slotssand associated blades36. arezinclined slightly to the axis of shaft 23 for the purpose ofthrowing foreign particles of dust and other material outwardly and.downwardly into the dirt" receptacle.

Mounted on the underside of fan casing24 opposite. air inlet 31 to stage25 is a bearing support 38 for any suitable form of outboard bearing 39such as as an oilless bearing. Bearingcasing-38 is attached to housing.24 in spaced relation by arms 40 so asnotto interfere with the freepassage of the suction air stream from the interior of separator 32 tothe multiple-stage fan. Separator. 32 is secured to the shaft by meansof spool 4| and lock nut 42, The inner. edge of the spool fits againstthe non-rotating bearing housing.

Surrounding base 28 of the fan is an annular sheet metal stamping 44.Stage 26 discharges into the chamber thus formed through a plurality ofports inv casing 24. A conduit 46 at one'side of chamber 44 conducts thedischarge air into annular'final filter chamber 41 formed by theimperforate cylindrical member 48 and the wall of filter bag 49. a

Filter bag 49 may be of any suitable filter material but preferably isof paper construction in order that it may be disposed of when full andreplaced by an inexpensive new one. The outer portion of its closedbottom 50 is held pressed against a resilient support such as a spongerubber pad 52 in the bottom of dirt receptacle II] by means of beadedflange 53 on the bottom of cylinder 48. This cylinder is preferablyattached to diaphragm I8 so as to be removable along with the cleanerend cap I4. The upper end of the filter bag has an outturned flange 54which seats on the inner rim of annulus I2. One or more gaskets ofsuitable material may beplaced above or below flange 54 to allow for'manufacturin tolerances and to assure an airtight seal.

From the foregoing it will be clear that my dirt receptacle is providedwith an inner main filter chamber 55 which serves to collect the majorportion of the dirt separated out by the impact separator 32.Surrounding this is an annular final filter chamber 47. The dirtcollected in chambers 55 and 41 is all contained within the Theoperation of the preferred form of this novel cleaning apparatus will beself-apparent from the foregoing description but will be reviewedbriefly here. After connecting the conventional cleaning toolsandfiexible hose to coupling 58, the operator presses an electricalswitch for the motor fan unit to start it in operation. This switch, notshown, may be of the press-press type mounted in the top of easing I4and operated by foot pressure. The fan um't sucks the dirt-laden airthrough the nozzle, the 'hose' connections and into the top of chamber.55. *The air then passes through slots 36 'in the impact separatorandthrough inlet opening 31' into the eye of stage 25. Thereafter, the airflows through the interstage 21 into the inlet of stage 26. The

air discharging from this stagepasses through openings 45 into theannular chamber44 and through its discharge outlet 46 into the finalfilter chamber 47. This clean air then passes through the wall of filter49 into chamber 56 and through openings I I in casing I0 back into theroom. The bulk of the dirt carried by the air is separated by the impactseparator 32 and collects in chamber 55. The smaller particles of dirtstill carried by the air. stream then pass into chamber 41 of the finalfilter where they are easily and eificiently removed by the relativelyclean wall of filter 49.

It will be noted that the great bulk of the dirt is removed in chamber55 and is prevented from coming in contact with the filter wall byreason of partition 48. Instead, it collects on the bottom of the filterbag. The small amount of fine dust not separated by impactor 32isremoved by the vertically disposed wall 49 of the filter from which itreadily falls into the bottom of dirt- 4 collecting space 41. By pickingup the cleaner and setting it on the fioor two or three times rathersharply, the small amount of dirt tending to adhere to the filter wallwill be easily dislodged and will collect at the bottom of chamber 41.

It will therefore be apparent that the filter in this novel arrangementand construction of parts is so located and positioned as to maintain avery high operating efficiency at all times even after the collectionchambers have become substantially filled with dirt.

-To remove thecollected dirt the operator simply'releases' clamps I5 andlifts cap I4 with its attach-ed motor fan unit and separator cylinder 48from casing Ill. The dirt in chambers 47 and 55 then co-mingles in thefilter bag. The dirt is simply and expeditiously removed by the operatorgrasping the top of the filter bag and collapsing it in airtight manneragainst the collected dirt as the bag is removed to a point of disposal.A fresh paper filter is then inserted and the cap reassembled andclamped in position.

The principles of this invention can be carried out very effectivelywhen the parts are arranged other than vertically as just described inconnection with the preferred form. For this instance. one alternativearrangement is illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the similar orcorresponding parts to those in the preferred form are designated byprimed reference numerals. In view of the substantial identity of thegreater number of parts, it is not thought necessary tomake a detaileddescription of each, reference being had tothe description of thepreferred form for a detailed understanding of the modification shown inFigure 2.

In general it will be noted that the construction is very similar exceptthat the parts are arranged horizontally ratherthan vertically. The dirtseparation and storage casing I0 mates with a removable end cap sectionI4 which, as in the preferred form, carries the motor fan unit as anintegral assembly. Casings I0 and I4 may be separably connected togetherby over-center snap acting clamps or by any equivalent arrangement. Theassembled unit may be mounted on wheels or, as illustrated herein, uponskids 65-455.

It will be noted that the air intake coupling 58 difiers from that in.the preferred form in that it extends outwardly from the casing and isbent to lie parallel to but spaced from housing I4. This latter portion,designated as 66, is secured to the casing nearits outer end byv abracket 6'! and serves as a convenient carrying handle for transportingthe cleaner from placeto place about the house. End cap I4 may also beprovided with a stamping 68 having struck inwardly therefrom a roundedhandle forming portion 59. This handle corresponds'to handle I6 ofFigure 1 and facilitates carrying of the cleaner in a vertical position.

It willalso be noted that the end of casing I0 is flat making itpossible to store the cleaner in upended position wherein it occupies a'minimum of storage space. Handle 69 makes it convenient to place thecleaner in vertical storage position and to carry it to and from a placeof use. a

In lieu of air discharge openings II in the side wall of the casing,member I2 and the rim of diaphragm I8 are provided with aligned openingsID. A single opening II is located in the end of cap I4. As illustrated,this opening is provided with a hose coupling for the connection of aeosaea i the. customaryhose and tools should it. be. desired. to use thedischarged air stream for such purposes. as hair drying, paintspraying,dispersal of deodorants andjthe-like.

' Operation.

The modification operates in the same manner described above inconnection with the preferred form. Dusting tools and the usual hose areconnected t inlet coupling 58'. Operation of the motor-fan unit drawsair in through this. coupling, tubular handle 65 and one end ofthemaindirtchamber 55. The air then passes into. impactseparator 32' andthroughinlet 31' to the first stage of the fan. The air then: passesthrough interstage 21. and into the second stage 26 The air next passesintouthe chamber formed by annulus 44', through discharge tub 46. andintothe final filter chamber 41.. Any dust. re-

maining in the air is removed as the air passes may then be liftedfromthe cleaner together: with all. the dirt. collected in the main. chamber55 and in final filter chamber 41'. The; top of the bag may then beclosedand the bag and itscollected: dirt disposed. of. Thereafter anewbag is inserted and end cap I4." is replaced and clamped to the bottomsection, This simp le operation is all that, is, required torestorethecleaner to maximum cleaningefiectiveness.

It will now be apparentthat thepresent invention; embodies an unusuallyunique, arrangement of parts for a suction cleaner. Not only is theconstruction extremely simple and rugged, but it incorporates a novelfilter arrangement in which the bulk of the. dirt is stored entirely outof contact with the filtering surface. Moreover, the filtering bag wallis reservedforuse as afinal filtering surface. Upon disassembly, thedirt. separated by both the primary and the final filtersisautomatically collected in the disposable filter bag which can besimply removed, thrown away and I replaced-by a fresh bag,

Obviously the variousparts can be otherwise formed and disposed relativeto one another Without departing from the essential principles of .thepresent invention. that although themechanical filter illustrated is ofthe impact type, other types may be, used. For example it can bereplaced by various arrangements of cyclone filters, Thus, the incomingdirty air stream may expand downwardly into chamber as the dirt settlesout. A centrally located conduit can then be used to conduct the airstream to inlet 31" of the fan unit, all as is well known in the cyclonefilterv art.

It will therefore be understood that the protection for whichapplication is made is not confined to the particular combination offeatures or elements set out in the annexed claims. Protection is hereinapplied for for anyone or more of, the features or elements referred tin the following claims, or described in the foregoing specification, orshown in the accompanying drawings, either independently or incombination.

What is claimed is:

l. A suction cleaner comprising a two-part cas- It is als to beunderstood chamber;

ing,, a. motor-fan unitmountedwithin one otsaid parts, a, removablefilterbag having, air-integral bottom-.mounted1- within theiother ofsaid casing parts; a partitioncoopera-ting with the botto nof said:filter bag;v to. divide said filter into. amain dirt collectingchamber,and. a supplemental dirt collecting; chamber, means for. directing;dirtladen air, throu h; first-one and then thelother 5 of. said,chambers, and means in saidmain dirt chamber: to separate major portionsof the; dirt from said air stream as it passes therethrough and todeposit. the separated dirt in said bag,

2; A dirt separator: for use'in separating dirt froman-air, streamcomprising a casing, a remorse able filter baghaving a closed endsupported therein, resilient means. mounted, opposite. the closed end ofsaid bag, an. imperforate. member withinsaid bag and supportedagainstsaid closed bag end oppositev said resilient. means to; divide the baginto two chambers, and means for direct.- ing a dirt-laden air streamthrough first one; and then the-other of saidchambers. I

3. A- dirt separator as claimed inclaim 2 in which said partitionisshaped to form a central main. dirtseparation chamber and a surroundinsupplemental dirt separation chamber.

4:. A dirt. separator as claimed in claim 2-in whichsaidimperforateimember is shaped to-form a; central, main dirt separationchamber'and. a surrounding final filter chamber-,and mechanical filter.meansassociated with said main dirtchamber through which said. air.stream passes operable to separate a. major portion of the, dirt there.-from.

5; Asuction cleaner comprising two open ended casings adapted tointer-fit; to form a housing; a motor-fan unit mounted within one of.said-.casing and removable: therewith, a filter bag mounted within and.having an open end: positioned across the opening of said other casing,a tubular memberextending, lengthwise of said bag and, cooperating withthe bottom. thereof to. form a. central main dirt chamber and an outerfinal filter. chamber, and means associated with. said motor-fanv unitfor directing; a, dirt.- laden air stream through said central main dirtchamber and then through. said final, filter 6. A suction cleaner asclaimed in claim 5 in which said main, dirt chamber is providedwithgamechanical filter in the path of saidair stream.

'7. A suction cleaner, as claimed in claim 5.. h aving: a power-drivenmechanical separator, operable to separate, dirt. from said air streamas it passes. through, said main dirt. chamber.

8.. A. suction. cleaner comprising. twojcupshaped casings havingtheirjrims adapted twin-.- terlock to form a housin a motor-fan unitmounted within one of said casings, a filter bag within said othercasing adapted tobe closed when said casings are assembled, animperforate member removable with the casingcarrying said motor-fanunit, said member cooperating. with the closed end of said filter todividethe filter into aprimary dirt chamber and an outer final filterchamber, an impact dirt separator driven bysaid, motor-fan unit andlocated to, direct dirt separated thereby into said primary chamber, andmeans associated. with said. motor-fan unit to direct an air streamthrough saidimpact dirt separator; and thenthrough saidfinal filterchamber.

9. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which resilient means isinterposed between one of said casings and the bottom of said filter bag7 opposite said imperforate Wall to form a seal between said primary andfinal filter chambers.

10. A suction cleaner comprising two open ended casings adapted tointer-fit to form a suction cleaner housing, a motor-fan unit mountedwithin one of said casings, a tubular filter memher having one endremovably supported across the other of said casings near the open endthereof, the other end of said tubular filter having an in-turned flangelocated adjacent the bottom of said other casing, an imperforate tubularmember of smaller cross-section than said filter extending lengthwisewithin said filter and adapted to seat on said in-turned fiange to holdsaid filter assembled in said casing, said imperforate membercooperating with said filter to form a central dirt chamber and an outerannular dirt chamber, and means associated with said motor-fan unit fordirecting a dirt laden air stream through first one and then the otherof said dirt chambers.

11. A suction cleaner having a cup-shaped casing, an in-turned flangenear the peripheral lip of said casing for supporting a filter bag, afilter bag having an open end adapted to be mounted and seated upon saidiii-turned flange, the other end of said filter bag being positionedadjacent the bottom of said casing, a'readily removable imperforatetubular member of smaller cross section than said filter adapted to besupported within said filter bag and cooperating therewith to form acentral dirt collecting chamber and an annular dirt collecting chamber,means for supporting a motor driven suction fan on said casing, theinlet of said fan being in communication with said central dirtcollecting chamber and the discharge end thereof being in communicationwith said annular dirt collecting chamber, and duct means for conductinga dirt-laden air stream into said central dirt chamber.

'12. A suction cleaner comprising a two part casing readily separablefrom one another for removal of a dirt filtering bag, a motor fan unitsecured to and housed in one of said casing parts, a unitary'filter baghaving an open end and a closed end, means removably supporting saidfilter bag within said casing, imperforate means extending through theopen end of said bag and cooperating with'the closed end thereof todivide said filter bag into a first dirt separation chamberand a seconddirt separation chamber, the arrangement of said filter and imperforatemeans being such that dirt separated in both said first and secondchambers collects in said filter bag and is removable therein when thesame is withdrawn from said cleaner, and means associated with saidmotor fan unit for directing dirt laden air through first one and thenthe other of said dirt separation chambers.

13. A suction cleaner comprising a two part casing readily separablefrom one another for the removal of a dirt filtering bag, a motor fanunit secured to and housed by one of said parts, a unitary filter baghaving an open end and closed end, means removably supporting saidfilter bag within the other of said parts and leaving said filter bagfree for removal therefrom when said casing parts are separated,imperforate means cooperating with said closed end to divide said filterbag into a first dirt separation and collecting chamber and a seconddirt separation and collecting chamber, and means associated 8 with saidmotor fan unit for directing dirt laden air through said first dirtseparation and collecting chamber and then through said second dirtseparation and collecting chamber.

14. Separator means for use in separating dust from air comprising ahousing, a readily removable, unitary one-piece air permeable receptacletherein, a non-permeable partition within said receptacleand-cooperating therewith to form a main dirt chamber and a supplementaldirt chamber, means for separating dirt from an air stream as it passesthrough said main dirt chamher and depositing the separated dirt intosaid air permeable r ceptacle, and means directing the partiallyde-nuded air stream into said supplemental dirt chamber and through saidpermeable receptacle to remove additional dirt from said air streamwhereby all the separated dirt collects in either said main orsupplemental dirt chambers of said air permeable receptacle and isremovable therein from said housing.

15. A separator as defined in claim 14 in which said non-permeablepartition is readily removable from said receptacle whereby theseparated dirt in both said main and supplemental chambers co-minglesand is contained entirely within said air permeable receptacle for readyremoval from said separator.

16. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner having a casing, a unitarydirt filter bag having a closed end and an open inlet end, means fordetachably seating the open end of said bag in said casing, readilyremovable cover means normally holding said bag in place on said seatingmeans and, upon removal, leaving said bag free for withdrawalfrom saidcasing, a tubular imperforate member separably supported Within said bagwith one end thereof bearing against a Wall of said bag and having amajor portion of its walls spaced from the walls of said bag to form afirst dirt collecting chamber interiorly of said tubular member and asecond dirt collecting chamber between the exterior thereof and theadjacent walls of said filter bag, and means for directing a dirt ladenair stream into the central partof said tubular means and thereafterinto the annular space between the exterior surface of said member andsaid filter bag,

17. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner as defined in claim 16 inwhich said removable cover, said air directing means and said tubularmember are removable from said casing leaving the dirt separated in saidcentral chamber and in said annular space collected in said removablefilter bag.

18. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner as defined in claim 17 inwhich said air directing means and said tubular member are removablefrom said filter bag as a unitary assembly.

DALE C. GERBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 926,070 Matchette June 22, 19091,103,548 Spencer July 14, 1914 1,115,873 Spencer Nov. 3, 1914 2,405,625Whiton et al Aug. 13, 1946

